Firearm



Jan. 18, 1966 Filed June 25, 1964 A J. DEL POZO, JR

FIREARM 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.3

100 no n7 I02 98 INVENTOR.

ALBERT J. DEL POZQJR.

ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1966 A J. DEL POZO, JR 3,229,400

FIREARM Filed June 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT J. DELPOZOv JR.

ATTORNEY A United States Patent 3,229,400 FIREARM Albert J. Del Pozo,Jr., New York, N.Y. (160-64 25th Drive, Whitestone, N.Y.) Filed June 25,1964, Ser. No. 377,837 8 Claims. (Cl. 42-36) The present inventionrelates to a firearm and, more particularly, to a pistol, and has forits general object to provide a pistol of greatly simplified andimproved construction.

. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a pistol,of the character described, having a new and novel breech blockconstruction whereby the action of the pistol may be greatly reduced insize and make possible the provision of pistols having greatly shortenedaction and, therefore, greatly reduced length and weight, and highlycompact, as compared to pistols of similar power and barrel length asprovided by the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pistol, ofthe character described, having a breechblock construction that isfirmly and rigidly guided from loading to firing position, and is firmlyand accurately held in the latter position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pistol, ofthe character described, which is formed of a minimum of relativelysimple and sturdy parts that are relatively easy to form and to assembleand which will form a sturdy, trouble-free, and easy to operatestructure when assembled.

It is still a further and principal object of the present invention toprovide a pistol, of the character described, having greatly simplifiedand yet greatly improved safety means for maintaining the firingmechanism in safe position against misfiring at all times.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the pistol of thepresent invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawingand from the description following. It is to be understood, however,that such embodiments are shown by way of illustration only, to make theprinciples and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible andwithout any intent of limiting the invention to the specific detailstherein shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pistol embodying the presentinvention, shown in closed position;

FIG.2 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the pistol of FIG. 1, on anenlarged scale, with the broken lines indicating the two positions ofthe breechblock locking mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 3'3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the breech block shownin open position, ready for loading, and the hammer in retracted orcocked position; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, elevational view, on a reduced scale, showingthe exterior of the pistol when in the position of FIG. 4.

Referring now in greater detail, to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the drawings, the same shows a pistol comprising anelongated barrel, generally designated as 10, including a front barrelsection 12, having, preferably, parallel sides and a rounded top; anintermediate section 14, of slightly greater height than the frontsection 12 and having parallel sides which may be continuous with thesides of the front barrel section 12 and, preferably a flat top surface;and a rear section 16 of rectangular cross-section, preferably equal inheight with the intermediate barrel section 14 but of greater thicknessand defined from the intermediate section 14 by an armate, preferablydovetail shoulder 18. The barrel 10 is formed with a preferably uprightflat rear face 19. The barrel 10 has a continuous bore 20 formed with ashallow enlargement 21 in the rear face 19 for accommodating the flangeof a cartridge or bullet inserted into the bore 20.

The barrel 10 is provided with a depending handle or grip, generallydesignated as 22, at its rear end portion, which may be hollow and maybe formed of two matching, flanged handle sections 24 and 26, the upperportion of which may extend from a point at the rear end of the frontbarrel section 12 to project rearwardly of the rear barrel section 16.The two handle sections 24 and 26 are provided with the conventionalmatching finger openings 28 in their sides, and an opening 30 in therear face of their projecting end for accommodating the movement of ahammer, generally designated as 32, which is pivotally supported in thehollow of the handle on pivot pin 34, set into the handle sides 24 and26, and project upwardly through opening 307 The pistol of the inventionis provided with a breechblock, generally designated as 36, which is ofyoke shape and includes a block portion 38 of preferably rectangularcross-section and of relatively short length, having a flat forward faceadapted to fit against the rear face 19 of the barrel 10. The block 38may be of a height equal to the height of the rear barrel section 16 andof a width greater than such barrel section, to overlap the same on eachside. The breechblock 36 also includes parallel arms 40 extendingforwardly from the overlapping portion of the block 38 and fittingsnugly against the sides of the rear barrel section 16. The arms 40 maybe of a width equal to the height of the barrel portion 16 and areprovided with offset end portions 42 adapted to fit snugly against thesides of the intermediate barrel section 14. The shoulders 44 connectingthe arms 40 with their extensions 42 are formed with arcuate, dovetailinner faces 46 adapted to fit within the dovetails 18 of the barrel 10.The breechblock 36 is pivoted by the upper corners of its arm sections42, on. the upper part of the forward portion of the intermediate barrelsection 14, as at 48, in tiltable position, to permit the inner face ofblock 38 to be fitted flatly and snugly against the rear end face 19 ofthe barrel 10. The arcs of the dovetails center on the pivot 48.

The block 38 is formed with a preferably vertical elongated rectangularrecess, 50, opening into its outer face and terminating short of theinner edge in a restricted opening, 50, extending into and through suchinner edge. A firing pin, generally designed 'as 54 is disposed in therecess 40; such firing pin consisting of a rectangular stem portion, 56,of a length less than the length of the recess 50, and a pin section,55, extending into the opening 42, adapted to be projected therefromwhen the outer end of the stem portion 56 is moved flush with the outersurface of the block 38. A spring, 60, is fitted over the pin portion 58intermediate the inner wall of the recess 48 and the inner face of thefiring pin stem 56 such spring normally maintaining the firing pin 54 inretracted position in recess 50 and partly projecting therefrom. Ahorizontal slot, 62, is formed in the firing pin stem 56, fitting over apin 64 set into the sides of the recess 50 to maintain the firing pinwithin the recess against falling out therefrom when the hammer 32 isnot holding it in position; the slot 60 being so positioned and of suchlength as to permit the movement of the firing pin inwardly into thefiring position.

The block 38 is formed with a pair of parallel, rearwardly-extending,spaced vertical ribs 68, one to each side of the recess 50, andinwardly-spaced from the sides 3 of the block; the ribs 68 having atleast their facing sides parallel to one another and defining a guidewayfor the hammer 32.

Means are provided for locking the breechblock 36 in closed or firingposition over the bar-rel section 16. Such means comprisehorizontally-disposed slot-s, 70, formed in the sides of the block 38,close to the top thereof, and extending into the arms 40 to partlyoverlie the rear portion of the rear barrel section 16 in whichregistering detent recesses, 72, are formed. An L-shaped latch, 74, ispivoted by its longer leg as on a pin 76, slot 70 in position to haveits other shorter leg engageable within a recess 72. The longer leg ofthe latch 74 projects rearwardly of the block 38 and is tensed tolocking position by the extension spring 78, interposed between theprojecting end of the latch and the adjacent rib 68. The recess-engagingleg of each latch 74 is such that when pressure is applied to theprojecting end thereof, against the pressure of the spring 78, the latchwill be released from the barrel to permit the lifting of breechblock36.

The hammer 32 may comprise a bar of a thickness adapted to fit betweenthe ribs 68 and has the upper striking section 80 formed with a flatforward striking edge adapted to fit flatly against the rear surface ofthe block 38 and to strike against the outer projecting end of thefiring pin 54, to move it inwardly into firing position. The hammer 32is formed with a head portion, 82, by which it may be engaged for manualcocking and is formed with a circular base portion, 84, centering on thepivot pin 34. The hammer is normally urged into firing position by a rod86 (FIG. 3), which may have an inwardly-extending end by which it ispivoted on a pivot pin, 88, set into the hammer base 84 below the centerpivot 34. The other end of the rod is guided in an opening, formed in abar or lug, 90, secured between the sides of the handle 22. The rod 86carries inwardly of its sliding a fixed collar, 92, and mounts anexpansion spring 94 intermediate of and compressed between such collarand the bar or lug 90; such spring urging the striking end 80 of thehammer 32 against the outer face of the block 38.

Means are provided for releasably maintaining the hammer 32 both incocked position against the tension of the spring 94 and also in closedor firing position. Such means comprise vertically-spaced notches, 96and 98, formed in the forward edge of the base 84 of the hammer. Thelower notch 96 is arranged to be engaged by the rear end of a searconsisting of a horizontally-disposed rod, 100, whose rear end may besupported and guided in an opening formed in the pin, 102, supportedbetween the handle sections, and whose other end is pivoted on the innerend of the trigger piece, 106; the latter being urged rearwardly by theexpansion spring, 108, which engages the trigger by one end and whoseother end may be anchored on the handle 22 forwardly of the trigger 106in any suitable manner.

It will be clear that when the hammer is in closed or firing position,against the block 38, the rear end of rod 100 will engage in the uppernotch, 98, to maintain the hammer in such closed position, as moreclearly seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings. It will be seen that when thehammer 32 is cocked :by manual engagement of its head, 82, and thereleasing of the rod 100 from the notch 98 by pulling of the trigger106, the rod 100 will be engaged in notch 96, upon release of thetrigger, to maintain the hammer in cocked position, as seen in FIG. 4 ofthe drawings. This will move rod 86 forwardly to compress spring 94 soas to urge the hammer into firing position when the trigger is nextpulled.

Auxiliary safety means are provided for preventing the movement of thehammer into firing position except when the breechblock is fullydisposed in such firing position. Such safety means comprises a rod,110, pivotally supported, at its center, as at 112, and disposeddirectly above the sear rod 100. The rear portion of the rod is providedwith an upwardly turned end, 113, lying directly below the spaceoccupied by the block 38 when in firing position. The forward end of therod 110 is provided with a downwardly turned end, 114, immediately abovean opening, 116, formed in the sear rod when the latter is in engagementwithin a notch 96 or 98. An expansion spring, 117, is interposed betweenthe rear end of the rod and the sear rod 100, that normally urges therod end 112 upwardly into the space to the rear of the barrel 10. Whensuch rod end 113 is disposed in such space and the end of the sear rod100 is in either one of the notches 96 or 98, the rod end 114 willengage into the opening 116 to prevent movement of the sear and therebyprevent movement of the hammer from the position it occupies; eithercocked or closed, into the other of the two positions. Only when thebreechblock 36 is in full firing position and block 38 thereof depressedthe rod end 113 of the safety arm 110 does its other end 114 release thesear rod or arm 100 to permit the movement thereof and of the hammer 32from one position to the other.

Additional safety means inhibiting contact between the hammer 32 and thefiring pin 54 when the breechblock is not fully and completely in firingposition may be provided. Such means is in the form of a pin, 118, setinto the block 38 and projecting rearwardly therefrom and acorrespondingly positioned notch, 120, formed in the forward edge of thehammer head 82, arranged to receive the projecting end of the pin 118when the breechblock is in full firing position. It will be clear thatwhen the breechblock is in any except the last position, the pin willengage against the forward edge of the firing pin 32 above the notch,120 and prevent complete closing of the hammer into firing position.

This completes the description of the firearm of the present inventionand the method of its operation. It will be readily apparent that suchfirearm is of relatively short length, compact, and of relatively lightweight, and is, nevertheless, strong and sturdy. It will also beapparent that the firearm of the present invention is composed of aminimum number of relatively simple parts that are economical to produceand simple and easy to assemble.

It will be likewise apparent that the firearm of the present inventionaffords maximum safety against inadvertent discharge.

It will be further apparent that numerous variations and modificationsmay be made in the firearm of the present invention by anyone skilled inthe art; in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinaboveset forth and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity. I desire,therefore, the protection of the patent laws for any and all suchmodifications and variations that may be made within the spirit of theinvention and within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

1. In a pistol of the character described, a barrel having a rearsection of greater thickness than the forward section thereof, said rearsection having parallel sides each defined from said forward section bya shoulder, said rear section having a flat rear face, a breechblock ofyoke shape and including a block portion having a forward face adaptedto fit aaginst said rear face, and arms extending forwardly from saidblock portion for moving said block into and out of juxtaposition of itsforward face against said rear face of said barrel, said arms havingshoulders adapted to fit against said shoulders of said barrel, saidshoulders of said barrel and of said arms being curved on a radiuscentering on the pivot of said arms on said barrel, and a firing spinslidably retained within said block and resiliently projected therefrom.

2. The pistol of claim 1, wherein said shoulders on said bar-rel and onsaid breechblock arms dovetail with one another.

3. The pistol of claim 1, wherein means are provided for releasablyengaging said breechblock on said barrel when said forward face of saidblock is disposed against said rear face of said barrel.

4. The pistol of claim 1, including a hollow handle depending from therear portion of said barrel and projecting rearwardly thereof, saidhandle open at the top of .its projecting portion, a hammer pivotallysupported on said handle and projecting upwardly therefrom through saidhandle opening for movement toward and away from contact with the firingpin projecting from said block.

5. The pistol of claim 4, wherein means are provided in said handle fornormally, resiliently urging said hammer to firing position, andreleasable means are provided for maintaining said hammer in cockedposition, and trigger means are provided for releasing said releasablemeans from said hammer.

6. The pistol of claim 5, wherein said releasable means for maintainingsaid hammer in cocked and in closed position comprises a circular baseon said hammer within said handle centering on the point of pivot ofsaid hammer, a trigger mounted in said handle, a sear rod connected byone end to said trigger in position to have its other end engage againstsaid hammer base, spring means engaging against said trigger normallyurging said rod into contact with said hammer base, and a pair of spacednotches formed in the forward edge of said hammer base, one of saidnotches adapted to receive the adjacent end of said sear rod when saidhammer is in cocked position and the other of said notches arranged toreceive the adjacent end of said sear rod when said hammer is in firingposition.

7. The pistol of claim 6, including means inhibiting the movement ofsaid sear rod when said breechblock is in upwardly-tilted position,comprising a rod pivotally supported intermediate its ends within saidhandle above said sear rod, one end of said rod terminating to the rearof said barrel and having an upwardly-turned end adapted to move intothe space to the rear of said, barrel when said breechblock is upwardlytilted, spring means normally urging said rod end upwardly, the otherend of said rod having a depending edge portion, and an opening formedin said sear end rod arranged to receive said downwardlyturned end, whensaid breechblock is in upwardly tilted position and said sear rod is inengagement with one of said notches in said hammer base.

8. The pistol of claim 1, wherein a projection is provided on the rearface of said block and a recess is formed in the forward face of saidhammer adapted to fit closely about said projection when said block isin lowermost position against the rear face of said barrel and saidhammer is moved against said block.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PISTOL OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A BARREL HAVING A REARSECTION OF GREATER THICKNESS THAN THE FORWARD SECTION THEREOF, SAID REARSECTION HAVING A PARALLEL SIDES EACH DEFINED FROM SAID FORWARD SECTIONBY A SHOULDER, SAID REAR SECTION HAVING A FLAT REAR FACE, A BREECHBLOCKOF YOKE SHAPE AND INCLUDING A BLOCK PORTION HAVING A FORWARD FACEADAPTED TO FIT AGINST SAID FACE, AND ARMS EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAIDBLOCK PORTION FOR MOVING SIAD BLOCK INTO AND OUT OF JUXTAPOSITION OF ITSFOR WARD FACE AGAINST SAID FACE OF SAID BARREL, SAID ARMS HAVINGSHOULDERS ADAPTED TO FIT AGAINST SAID SHOULDERS OF SAID BARREL, SAIDSHOULDERS OF SAID BARREL AND OF SAID ARMS BEING CURVED ON A RADIUSCENTERING ON THE PIVOT OF SAID ARMS ON SAID BARREL, AND A FIRING PINSLIDABLY RETAINED WITHIN SAID BLOCK AND RESILIENTLY PROJECTED THEREFROM.